PLEAsanT HiLL, MARYLanD, October 9, 1861.
my Dear Father,
— Your prompt and energetic kindness is truly splendid. I think one thousand
pairs of stockings are enough for the present. What we may need, or the
government may be able to supply before spring, we cannot now say. Mrs. George
Ticknor writes to Colonel Gordon that a number of ladies in Boston desire to
form an association to supply the Second Regiment with whatever they need. She
will aid you in the stocking direction. The truth is, the government ought to
supply every real want of the soldier. I hope it will soon do so. If it fail to
do so, we must appeal to benevolence now and then. The principle is a bad one,
however, and I do not wish to extend it an inch beyond the immediate necessity.
One bad effect of appealing to benevolence is, that men will
not be as careful of things given to them as things paid for by
them.
Some frost-nipping compulsion is important to keep them
economical and careful.
I am quite anxious to hear about Howard. I do not so much
care whether Fremont is a good or bad general; if Howard gets a footing there
he will do well, and will hang on.
SOURCE: Elizabeth Amelia Dwight, Editor, Life and
Letters of Wilder Dwight: Lieut.-Col. Second Mass. Inf. Vols., p. 112
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